Soldier to Soldier - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

*Campo* · 04-18-2003, 09:42 AM

Just thought I'd share this
I thought it was it was a great message that needed to be publicized more...
Enjoy....

>>Subject: Ramstein's Chaplain's Thought For The Day (Thursday 10 April 03)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>A little background - The German Army is at Gates of all military
>>installations in Germany providing entry control on a 24 X 7 basis to
>>relieve US Forces that are in middle east..
>>
>>A different perspective on our German allies. Our governments may be at
>>odds over Iraq Policy - but Military understands Military
>>
>>Here are our Allies!
>>
>>Sunday, 30 March 2003
>>
>> As usual I was running late. So, you can imagine my frustration level
>> as I approached the main gate of Ramstein Air Base only to find traffic
>> backed up! Nearing the checkpoint I realized that not only was there a
>> long line of cars, but traffic had come to a complete stop as a result
>> of all entrance gates being closed. Over the past 18-months, there have
>> been many opportunities to practice our patience as we have had to
>> "hurry up and wait" as a result of heightened security. While we
>> realize the necessity, it's still frustrating at times for even the most
>> easy-going folks. This was one of those times for me! I needed to be
>> where I was going, and I needed to be there NOW! The German soldiers,
>> the ones manning the entrances of American military installations here
>> in Germany, were just milling around, chatting as if those of us in line
>> had all the time in the world.
>>
>> Things seemed to go from bad to worse! The German gate guards began
>> walking among the stopped cars, asking us to turn off our engines and
>> headlights. I realized that no traffic was exiting or entering the Air
>> Base. My feelings of frustration began to turn to ones of concern. Just
>> what was going on? A few minutes later I noticed blue lights
>> approaching from the direction of the air terminal. Close behind were
>> two military medical buses with their RED CROSS . Lights were on in the
>> buses, and I.V. bags could be seen hanging. It was then that I
>>
>>realized that these were more of our wounded warriors being transported
>>from the battlefields to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for treatment.
>>
>> I certainly wasn't prepared for what happened next. All of the
>> German soldiers, our gate guards, began walking toward the concrete
>> barriers that divide the inbound and outbound lanes of traffic. As the
>> blue lights neared, more German soldiers seemed to appear from nowhere,
>> lining the road, shoulder to shoulder. Right on cue, without a word
>> being spoken, these soldiers snapped a sharp salute as the buses drove
>> pass, rendering arms until well after the last bus had passed.
>>
>> Needless to say, I was speechless and deeply moved. What a show of
>> respect for fellow soldiers! (Angie McLean)
>>
>>--- Soldier to Soldier, rendering honor and respect! Our allies, our
>>comrades, those who know the price that some have to pay for freedom did
>>not have to be asked or prompted, it came from their character and
>>soldiering heart! May God bless and watch over all soldiers and their
>>loved ones as they stand in harm's way for us! Blessings and Peace,
>>
>>CH (COL) DAVID E.MCLEAN
>>CHIEF, PASTORAL SERVICES ERMC/LRMC
>>
>>One more little note to this...Two AM in the morning, a single C-17 lands
>>at Ramstein with one patient on board 19 year Pfc. Jessica Lynch, and who
>>shows up to escort the ambulance to Landstuhl...over 100 German Politzi
>>cars and entire Germany Army contingency assigned to Ramstein..

NOTAJP · 04-19-2003, 12:52 AM

Thank you for posting. We've always had good relations with the Germans. Wish I was there. I've had a blast everytime I go to Germany.

04-18-2003, 09:42 AM	#1
Campo Elitus Explorus White City, KS 99 XLT 4x4 Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 794 Vehicle Specs	Soldier to Soldier Just thought I'd share this I thought it was it was a great message that needed to be publicized more... Enjoy.... >>Subject: Ramstein's Chaplain's Thought For The Day (Thursday 10 April 03) >> >> >> >> >> >> >>A little background - The German Army is at Gates of all military >>installations in Germany providing entry control on a 24 X 7 basis to >>relieve US Forces that are in middle east.. >> >>A different perspective on our German allies. Our governments may be at >>odds over Iraq Policy - but Military understands Military >> >>Here are our Allies! >> >>Sunday, 30 March 2003 >> >> As usual I was running late. So, you can imagine my frustration level >> as I approached the main gate of Ramstein Air Base only to find traffic >> backed up! Nearing the checkpoint I realized that not only was there a >> long line of cars, but traffic had come to a complete stop as a result >> of all entrance gates being closed. Over the past 18-months, there have >> been many opportunities to practice our patience as we have had to >> "hurry up and wait" as a result of heightened security. While we >> realize the necessity, it's still frustrating at times for even the most >> easy-going folks. This was one of those times for me! I needed to be >> where I was going, and I needed to be there NOW! The German soldiers, >> the ones manning the entrances of American military installations here >> in Germany, were just milling around, chatting as if those of us in line >> had all the time in the world. >> >> Things seemed to go from bad to worse! The German gate guards began >> walking among the stopped cars, asking us to turn off our engines and >> headlights. I realized that no traffic was exiting or entering the Air >> Base. My feelings of frustration began to turn to ones of concern. Just >> what was going on? A few minutes later I noticed blue lights >> approaching from the direction of the air terminal. Close behind were >> two military medical buses with their RED CROSS . Lights were on in the >> buses, and I.V. bags could be seen hanging. It was then that I >> >>realized that these were more of our wounded warriors being transported >>from the battlefields to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center for treatment. >> >> I certainly wasn't prepared for what happened next. All of the >> German soldiers, our gate guards, began walking toward the concrete >> barriers that divide the inbound and outbound lanes of traffic. As the >> blue lights neared, more German soldiers seemed to appear from nowhere, >> lining the road, shoulder to shoulder. Right on cue, without a word >> being spoken, these soldiers snapped a sharp salute as the buses drove >> pass, rendering arms until well after the last bus had passed. >> >> Needless to say, I was speechless and deeply moved. What a show of >> respect for fellow soldiers! (Angie McLean) >> >>--- Soldier to Soldier, rendering honor and respect! Our allies, our >>comrades, those who know the price that some have to pay for freedom did >>not have to be asked or prompted, it came from their character and >>soldiering heart! May God bless and watch over all soldiers and their >>loved ones as they stand in harm's way for us! Blessings and Peace, >> >>CH (COL) DAVID E.MCLEAN >>CHIEF, PASTORAL SERVICES ERMC/LRMC >> >>One more little note to this...Two AM in the morning, a single C-17 lands >>at Ramstein with one patient on board 19 year Pfc. Jessica Lynch, and who >>shows up to escort the ambulance to Landstuhl...over 100 German Politzi >>cars and entire Germany Army contingency assigned to Ramstein.. __________________ If it ain't broke, fix it till it is. 99 XLT 4x4 SOHC V6 2"TT/AAL 31" Kelly AT's aka Blue Mistress 96 Ranger ExCab 4x4 OHV V6 31" Goodyear RT/S's (not for long) KC Area Explorers

04-19-2003, 12:52 AM	#2
NOTAJP Moderator Emeritus Mountain Home AFB, ID No more Exploder Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,993 Vehicle Specs	Thank you for posting. We've always had good relations with the Germans. Wish I was there. I've had a blast everytime I go to Germany. __________________ US Air Force Mission Director '96 Ford Bronco (daily driver) '67 Land Cruiser trail rig project "My Give a Damn is Busted!"